Chinese Manufacturers Improve Euro NCAP Crash Test Scores

November 23, 2011

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By:
Donny Nordlicht

As we don’t have any Chinese-made cars on sale in the U.S. (yet), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety don’t crash test any of them. However, since some Chinese vehicles are sold in Europe, Euro NCAP – the European New Car Assessment Program – recently put the both the Geely Emgrand EC7 and MG6 into the wall.

The results are positive, with both cars receiving four-star ratings out of a maximum of five. According to Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, “these results mark a milestone for the Chinese automotive industry. It is a clear sign that Chinese car makers are building on recent experiences and rapidly investing in better vehicle safety.” In previous Euro NCAP testing, Chinese models had been deemed unsafe by European standards.

The Geely Emgrand EC7 scored well thanks to good protection of the front occupants; however, there was some deformation of the driver footwell and some stress shown on the test dummies in a side pole crash. In pedestrian safety tests, the Emgrand performed only marginally because of numerous hard points that could potentially injure an adult struck by the vehicle. The vehicle also has stability control included as standard equipment.

Although built in both China and the U.K., Euro NCAP tested a Chinese-built model of the MG6. The five-door hatchback received an adequate score in front crash testing due to an airbag that with insufficient pressure. Bumpers provided good protection in pedestrian crash tests, but the hood provided poor protection. The MG6 has stability control standard as well.